Born With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

When Cyntoia was born, she had a disease known as ‘Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.’ This is classified as a group of issues that children are born with due to mothers who drink alcohol throughout their pregnancy. Symptoms that occur within babies born with this disorder are physical abnormalities, behavioral problems and even weak intelligence, making many do poorly in school, lack impulse control and have major paranoia. It is also quite common that they themselves get into alcohol and drugs when they are older.

Given Up For Adoption

Things went from bad to worse for Cyntoia as a child. Not only was her mother a heavy drinker, but when Cyntoia was a mere 8-month old baby, her mom started taking crack cocaine. So when Cyntoia was just 2-years old, her mother decided that she no longer wanted, nor had the capabilities, to take care of her. She decided to give her up for adoption to Ellenette Brown, a close-by neighbor who showed positive emotions towards the young toddler.